Fantasy football start/sit for Week 15: Ben Roethlisberger has 'game of the week' feel

Don Wright / AP

The outcome could affect home-field advantage, so looks for the Patriots defense to be sharper than they were last week when they gave up three touchdown passes to Jay Cutler. However, Roethlisberger plays better at Heinz Field, where he has a higher completion percentage and quarterback rating.

What’s more, Pittsburgh’s weapons match up well here. Roethlisberger has been able to throw over the heads of most cornerbacks on passes to Antonio Brown -- who gets a step on the – negating Malcolm Butler’s talent for cutting off angles. Even if the Patriots double Brown, Roethlisberger has Martavis Bryant and gets JuJu Smith-Schuster back from suspension.

And don’t forget about Le’Veon Bell, who has been finding the end zone – including two straight weeks with touchdown receptions -- after a three-game slump. The Patriots ranking 21st in defending pass-catching running backs.

McCaffrey hit a bump in the road last week against the Vikings but should get back on track this weekend. The Packers rank in the top five (or nearly that high) in receptions, yards and touchdown catches to running backs.

McCaffrey is second only to Le’Veon Bell in receptions by running backs.

The Steelers quarterback usually has good games at home, but several other factors favor him in this Patriots matchup. Be sure to email your fantasy football questions or comments to @plthompson@chicagotribune.com (with "fantasy" in the subject line) or tweet to @_phil_thompson.